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Name:
_
Dimentional consistency
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Class:
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_______________________
Date:
_

Time: 43 min.

Marks: 31 marks

Comments:

Page 1 of 10
Q1.
The kinetic energy, E, of a compound pendulum is given by

E = Iω2

where ω is the angular speed and I is a quantity called the moment of inertia.

(a) Show that for this formula to be dimensionally consistent then I must have
dimensions ML2, where M represents mass and L represents length.
(2)

(b) The time, T, taken for one complete swing of a pendulum is thought to depend on its
moment of inertia, I , its weight, W, and the distance, h, of the centre of mass of the
pendulum from the point of suspension.

The formula being proposed is

T = kI α W β h γ

where k is a dimensionless constant.

Determine the values of α, β and γ.

(3)
(Total 5 marks)

Q2.
In this question

a represents acceleration,

T represents time,

l represents length,

m represents mass,

v represents velocity,

F represents force.

One of these formulae is dimensionally consistent.

Circle your answer.

Fl = mv2

(Total 1 mark)

Page 2 of 10
Q3.
A car has mass m and travels up a slope which is inclined at an angle θ to the horizontal.
The car reaches a maximum speed v at a height h above its initial position. A constant
resistance force R opposes the motion of the car, which has a maximum engine power
output P.

Neda finds a formula for P as

P = mgv sin θ + Rv + mv3

where g is the acceleration due to gravity.

Given that the engine power output may be measured in newton metres per second,
determine whether the formula is dimensionally consistent.
(Total 6 marks)

Q4.
A pile driver of mass m1 falls from a height h onto a pile of mass m2, driving the pile a
distance s into the ground. The pile driver remains in contact with the pile after the impact.
A resistance force R opposes the motion of the pile into the ground.

Elizabeth finds an expression for R as

where g is the acceleration due to gravity.

Determine whether the expression is dimensionally consistent.

(Total 4 marks)

Q5.
The time T taken for a simple pendulum to make a single small oscillation is thought to
depend only on its length l, its mass m and the acceleration due to gravity g.

By using dimensional analysis:

(a) show that T does not depend on m;

(3)

(b) express T in terms of l, g and k, where k is a dimensionless constant.

(4)
(Total 7 marks)

Q6.
The acceleration, a, of a body falling with speed v and subject to air resistance may be
modelled by the equation

Page 3 of 10
 a = g – λv2

where λ is constant.

Find the dimensions of λ in order that the equation is dimensionally consistent.

(Total 4 marks)

Q7.

The tension, T, in a stretched elastic string is given by Hooke’s Law, T = ,

where λ is the modulus of elasticity, l is the natural length of the string and x is
the extension of the string.

Find the dimensions of λ.

(Total 4 marks)

Page 4 of 10
Mark schemes

Q1.

Marking Instructions AO Marks Typical Solution

(a) Recalls the dimensions for energy AO1.1a M1 [E] = ML2T−2

and angular speed and forms an [ω] = T−1
equation for dimensional
consistency

Completes a rigorous argument AO2.1 R1

using both dimensions for energy
and angular velocity to verify that
the dimensions of I are ML2

(b) Uses dimensions to form a correct AO1.1a M1 [IαWβhγ] = (ML2)α(MLT−2)β(L)γ

expression for the dimensions of = Mα+βL2α+β+γT−2β
[IαWβhγ] α+β=0
Forms three simultaneous AO1.1a M1 −2β = 1
equations in three unknowns from 2α + β + γ = 0
‘their’ [IαWβhγ] α = 0.5
β = −0.5
Obtains correct values for α, β, γ AO1.1b A1
γ = −0.5
CAO

Total 5 marks

Q2.

Marking Instructions AO Marks Typical Solution

Circles correct answer AO2.2a B1 Fl = mv2

Total 1 mark

Q3.
[P] = MLT– 2 . L . T– 1 = ML2T– 3
For correct unsimplified
dimensions of quantities

B1

[mgv sin θ] = M . LT– 2 . LT– 1 = ML2T– 3

For correct unsimplified

dimensions of quantities

B1

Page 5 of 10
 [Rv] = MLT– 2 . LT– 1 = ML2T– 3

For correct unsimplified

dimensions of quantities

B1

= M . L3T– 3 . L– 1 = ML2T– 3

For correct unsimplified

dimensions of quantities

B1
All simplifications correct

B1

The formula is dimensionally consistent

Dependent on the last B1

E1
[6]

Q4.
Dimension of g is LT– 2
B1 for dimensions of the five quantities

Dimension of s is L
B1 for dimensions of the five quantities

Dimension of h is L
B1 for dimensions of the five quantities

Dimension of m1 and m2 is M
B1 for dimensions of the five quantities

B1

Dimension of is

≅ MLT– 2 + MLT– 2

Correct substitution of dimensions

M1

≅ MLT– 2

Page 6 of 10
 A1

which is a force

B1
[4]

Q5.
(a)

M1A1

There is no M on the left, so b = 0

E1
3

(b)

M1

equating corresponding indices

m1

solution

m1

constant needed

A1F
4
[7]

Q6.
Dimensions of a and g are LT2
B1

Dimensions of v is LT–1

B1

Page 7 of 10
 λ=
M1

= L–1

A1
[4]

Q7.
Dimension of a force is MLT–2
B1

From Hooke’s law; λ =

B1

M1

= MLT–2

A1
[4]

Page 8 of 10
Examiner reports

Q1.
Although students demonstrated a good understanding of dimensional notation, this
question proved to be more challenging than expected, with a mean mark of 62% for part
(a) and 59% for part (b).

In part (a) a number of students did not appear to know that was dimensionless. In
addition, whilst many students knew the correct dimensions for energy, the dimensions of
ω were often incorrectly stated.

In part (b), the majority of students were able to start with the correct line [ IαWβhγ] =
(ML2)α (MLT−2)β(L)γ but often did not then collect terms together correctly or subsequently
failed to form three correct equations. The most successful students here always clearly
stated their three equations before solving.

Q3.
This question was answered very well by most students who found the dimensions of the
quantities in the given formula in terms of M, L and T. However very few students used the
square bracket notation and some students used kg, m and s instead of M, L and T
respectively. Centres should encourage their students to use appropriate notations in
dimensional analysis. A very small number of students attempted unsuccessfully to derive
the formula itself, apparently misunderstanding that all that was required was to show that
the formula was dimensionally consistent. Also, students should appreciate that
dimensional consistency of a formula does not necessarily imply the validity of the
formula.

Q4.
This question was answered very well and proved to be an easy source of marks for many
candidates. However, some candidates used MLT-2 instead of LT-2 for the dimensions of g

or T instead of L for the dimension of s. A small number of candidates gave MLT-2 as

their simplified result for the dimensions of the expression. These candidates lost the
accuracy mark available for the question.

Q5.
The response to this question was quite variable. Too often, candidates were unable to
answer this question correctly. Evidently, these candidates were not prepared for
questions based on dimensional analysis. Some candidates’ response to this question

was flawed as these candidates started with the formula T = 2π and showed that T =
T.

Q6.
Most candidates wrote down the correct dimensions of a, g and v. Unfortunately, a
significant proportion had difficulty in obtaining the dimension of λ from these correct
dimensions.

Page 9 of 10
Q7.
This question was also answered well. A few candidates did not appreciate that the
extension was a length and a few did not know the dimension of a force.

Page 10 of 10